Central Conference Power Rankings: Week 7

Menace rise to top slot; Chill enter the fray

The Des Moines Menace are the only unbeaten team left between the Heartland and Great Lakes Divisions, and so they take the top slot in this week’s edition of the Central Conference Power Rankings.

The Menace earned two wins during Week 7, improving their record to 6-0-1. Leigh Veidman and Jack Griffin have stood out as field players, while Nico Campbell has shined in goal.

Here’s the Central Conference’s Top 6:

1. Des Moines Menace (Previous: 2)
Last Week: W 6-0 at WSA Winnipeg, W 2-0 vs. St. Louis Lions
Six different players scored a goal in the Menace’s road win against WSA Winnipeg, with Veidman scoring once and assisting once. While Aaron Orban made one save to secure a shutout at Waverely Soccer Complex, Nico Campbell was called into action seven times in order to preserve the 2-0 shutout against the Lions on Saturday.

2. K-W United FC (Previous: 3)
Last Week: W 2-1 vs. TFC Academy
The 2015 PDL Champion earned its sixth win of the regular season on Wednesday, and now sits atop the Great Lakes standings with a three-point lead on the Michigan Bucks. Wesley Cain scored a goal in each half to help K-W United top TFC Academy at Wilfrid Laurier University.

3. Michigan Bucks (Previous: 1)
Last Week: W 1-0 vs. Cincinnati Dutch Lions, L 3-2 at Derby City Rovers
The Bucks suffered their second defeat of the season, and once again, it came on the road. The Bucks began Week 7 well, as Benjamin Fitzpatrick scored the winner against Cincinnati on Wednesday. However, in a wild five-goal match on Saturday, the Rovers were the ones to come out on top. Despite falling, the Bucks still sit in second in the Great Lakes.

4. Derby City Rovers (Previous: 5)
Last Week: W 3-2 at Pittsburgh Riverhounds U23, W 3-2 vs. Michigan Bucks
The Rovers earned one of the biggest wins of Week 7 in their takedown of the Bucks on Saturday, but they also beat the Riverhounds U23 during the week to inch closer towards the top of the Great Lakes standings. K-W United is the next team that will head to Woehrle Field, where the Rovers are undefeated this season.

5. Chicago Fire U-23 (Previous: 4)
Last Week: T 2-2 at Thunder Bay Chill
The Fire U-23 were able to churn out a result on the road, earning a vital point to stay on pace with the Menace atop the Heartland standings. Djordje Mihalovic and Cameron Lindley were the goalscorers for the Fire U-23, while Andrew Putna recorded seven saves against the Chill.

6. Thunder Bay Chill (Previous: NR)
Last Week: T 2-2 vs. Chicago Fire U-23, W 2-0 vs. WSA Winnipeg, W 1-0 vs. WSA Winnipeg
Seven points were earned by the Chill in Week 7, vaulting them into the Heartland title conversation. Work needs to be done before surpassing the Fire U-23 and Menace, but Anthony Putrus’ two goals on Tuesday, and Sullivan Oliveira Silva’s goals over the weekend have the Chill on a good run.